Over 20 years ago, one of my battles was depression. This depression was brought on by an emotional divorce that I didn’t think I would ever recover from. During this period, my children and I lived in Pryor, and my kids were attending Victory Christian School in Tulsa, which was about an hour drive each way. I would make the drive to drop the kids off at school and make the drive back home. I had no motivation at all. I just wanted to sit on the sofa and do absolutely nothing but sleep until it was time for me to make the drive back to pick them up. I did this daily for several months. It was a pity party, just the devil and me. I tell you what; the devil did a great job of giving me plenty of things to be tormented over. You’re overweight. You’re not pretty, not funny enough, too serious; you will never make it alone, etc.…(I’m talking pity party). Now through all this, I remained faithful with my church attendance, which helped give me the strength and ability to assure my kids that everything was going to be ok.
Meanwhile, everything inside me was a complete mess, not always believing what I was telling my kids. To make matters worse, as if they could get any worse, I felt defeated. One afternoon I was laying on the couch and felt water dripping on me. My roof was leaking. I just thought whatever- and I began to cry. I thought ok God, what now? At that moment, I heard a voice inside me say, “praise me with a song and dance that is what you need to do”. I immediately said, “what is there to praise you for?” That same voice (I can’t explain) said, “well both of your children love the Lord, you are able to send them to Christian School – that was an answered prayer.”
So, I got up and put praise and worship music on, and began to say how blessed I was I have two beautiful, healthy children. Please understand, everything within me did not want to do any of this; this was strictly out of obedience to God!! Then it came so easy to start thanking God for my kids’ health and humor, and how faithful God was for helping me raise them alone. I was also thankful for God’s provision to fix the roof. Then all of a sudden, that spirit of depression lifted off of me, and I was grateful for many things… I won the battle that day!!
We all have battles. They look different to each of us. As you are reading this, think about what you are battling. Allow the scriptures that I stood on in my battle help you now as they helped me back then and continue to help me today.
FEAR NOT
God is with us wherever we go. We are never alone. We have nothing to fear because He is with us.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 (AMP)
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)
PRAY CONSTANTLY
In every situation, no matter how big or small, pray.
Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
EMPTY YOURSELF
In the midst of our battles, we must empty ourselves and fill up with Jesus.
He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30 (NKJV)
I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
1 Corinthians 15:31 (NKJV)
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
John 4:24 (NKJV)
PRAISE GOD
We have power against our enemies when we praise God!
Then Jehoshaphat consulted with the people and appointed those who would sing to the LORD and praise the splendor of His holiness. As they went out before the army, they were singing: “Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving devotion endures forever.” The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated.
2 Chronicles 20:21-22
In the book of Joshua, the Israelites were confronted by the wall of Jericho, an impregnable wall that no known human manufactured machines then could pull down. And God told them to move around the wall once a day for six days. On the seventh day, they moved around the wall seven times, and on the seventh day, they shouted praise, and the wall came down (Joshua 6:20).
In the book of Acts, Chapter 16, Paul and Silas were thrown into jail. They waited till midnight when their praises to God would be heard loud and clear, and they began to pray and sing praises to God. All of a sudden God responded by shaking the prison to its foundation and removing all the chains in the hands of the prisoners. In the end, they were set free (Acts 16:25-40).
Just like Paul and Silas, we can be set free and win whatever battle we are facing by offering God our worship. I won my battle and you can win yours too! God is faithful!
Written by: Billie Sue Reynolds
